A Sweeping US Senate Bill Aims to Address Key Arctic Issues

A extensive bill which is to cover national security, shipping, research, and trade in the Arctic, and which rebukes what is considered Russia's dominance in the Arctic, was introduced in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday. The bill seeks to limit Russia's shipping "monopoly" in the Arctic while establishing a year-round U.S. presence in the North through the Coast Guard and Navy.

This is reported by Arctic Today.

The bill also calls for significant investment in research and infrastructure — both nationally, through U.S. deepwater ports, and internationally, by investing in other Arctic nations with the exception of Russia. In addition, the bill seeks to establish a free trade agreement with Iceland.

The Arctic Commitment Act is cosponsored by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, and Sen. Angus King, an Independent from Maine, both chairs of the Senate Arctic Caucus.